A newly renovated community hall has reopened to the public.

St George's Hall in Calshot, which is over 100 years old, has been upgraded and reopened on Wednesday, October 30.

The New Forest District Council (NFDC) has completed the renovation works, introducing improved features such as a larger kitchen, main hall, cinema room, and an accessible toilet.

The outdoor space has been revamped to include a community garden, skate ramp, shelter, goal posts, and a basketball net.

The new cinema room has been dedicated to Dora Tarrant, a 1961 evacuee from the Tristan Da Cunha Islands, who contributed significantly to the community. It was officially opened by members of the Tarrant family.

On Tuesday, October 29, the NFDC and Fawley Parish Council held a showcase event with tours, live demonstrations, and speeches by various councillors and the NFDC strategic director for housing and communities.

Residents were invited to a community event on Wednesday, October 30, where they were encouraged to bring pumpkins to carve and learn recipes from New Forest Aquaponics CIC.

Cllr David Hawkins, chairman of the council, said: "You can all see the hall and grounds are transformed, and I am particularly thrilled local young people have somewhere warm, safe, and fun to come on a regular basis."

"It’s pleasing that this has been a partnership approach from day one, with several NFDC teams, members, officers, Fawley Parish Council officers and members, Hampshire County Council public health, the youth club, 17 Port and Maritime Regiment in Marchwood, and community members all coming together to deliver the ideas, provide funding, and work on a refurbished hall that delivers what our residents need."

Cllr Dan Poole, portfolio holder for communities, safety, and wellbeing, said: "I’m so proud of what everyone involved has achieved with the refurbished hall. With the outdoor equipment and grounds improvements, to solar panels on the roof providing free electricity, and insulation which takes the energy performance of the building to a high B, accessible toilet, amazing kitchen space, reconfigured main space and finishing off the hall a new cinema room, it is now truly a modern facility."

The event was also supported by Fawley Youth Life, Culture in Common, and the New Forest National Park Authority.

Fawley Parish Council will now manage the hall.